Outpatient autologous stem cell transplantation in Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania: a single-centre, retrospective review in the Australian setting

Background Several international centres have published their experiences with outpatient autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) as treatment of haematological malignancies. Aim In this single-centre retrospective review, we aim to examine the outcomes of outpatient autograft and review healthcare resource utilisation in the pre-cytopenic period. Methods Patients undergoing ASCT in Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania between 2008 and 2018 had their records reviewed and key outcomes data collected based on whether they received inpatient/outpatient ASCT. An outpatient ASCT was defined as conditioning as an outpatient; patients could then be managed with an elective admission during the cytopenic period or admission only when clinically indicated. Results Of 231 ASCT performed, 135 (58%) were as outpatients: 59 used carmustine-etoposide-cytarabine-melphalan conditioning for lymphoma (BEAM-ASCT) and 76 used high-dose melphalan for myeloma and amyloidosis (MEL-ASCT). Approximately one-third of patients undergoing outpatient ASCT were admitted electively during nadir period; the majority of patients required minimal interventions prior to this time. The most common causes for unplanned hospitalisation (which occurred in 71 (80%) of the 89 planned outpatient transplants) were febrile neutropenia (39%) and mucositis (35%). Age was the only risk factor identified to increase risk of requiring unplanned hospitalisation. Use of oral antibiotic prophylaxis reduced febrile neutropenia rates among melphalan outpatient ASCT. Outpatient ASCT led to significantly reduced inpatient bed-days and overall cost (approximately A$13 000-A$16 000) compared with inpatient autografts, with no significant differences in engraftment, rates of febrile neutropenia, intensive care admissions or mortality. Conclusion Outpatient autografts may save healthcare resources without compromising patient outcomes.